Phyllis Kastner, 87, Garrison, died on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at the Garrison Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:30 am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison. A rosary will be said on Sunday beginning at 7:00 pm at the church.  Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4 to 7 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison.

Phyllis Arlene Knudtson was born January 1, 1932 to Maurice and Anna (Tomko) Knudtson on a farm near Makoti, ND. She was the 3rd oldest of 10 children and was born on her sister Marcey's 3rd birthday.

Phyllis attended grade school at Hiddenwood, Mountrail, and Wright Schools. She graduated from Plaza High School in 1949. She worked for Olgar and Weldon Lunden near Roseglen before attending Minot State College.

In 1951, she moved to Michigan to live with her brother, Archie, in Keego Harbor and Auburn Heights. She worked as a waitress and worked on the assembly line at Pontiac Motors putting on brake hoses, etc. She and Archie would entertain many people by singing and playing guitar.
Phyllis moved back to the farmstead and shortly after met Emil Kastner. They were united in marriage October 25, 1953 in the old St. Nicholas Church. They farmed together southwest of Douglas and raised their 12 children, helping out with farm chores, milking cows, raising pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks. They would butcher the fowl and sell some of them to neighbors. She also sold eggs and fresh farm cream to many customers every Friday morning. She helped with butchering pigs, hauling bales, and picking rock. She also raised a big garden and would can 500 quarts of fruits and vegetables in one year. She would bake 12 loaves of bread every other day. She made the best buns, caramel rolls, cookies and donuts!

Phyllis loved listening to country music, polkas, waltzes, and yes, Lynard Skynard's "They Call Me the Breeze" which was a "must" on rides to the casino. She also loved to dance. She also made quilts for her children and grandchildren, often drawing on paper, with Crayola crayons, to find a pattern and would use "any" type of material. She loved playing softball with her children and once in a while the neighbor kids would come and join us on a Sunday afternoon. She was a whiz at Scrabble and playing all sorts of card games. Quite often she would host progressive Whist parties in their home. And she loved the casinos! Whether it be 4 Bears or out in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho when she would spend time with her sister, Shirley, in Spokane often counting her winnings on the car ride home. She was a member of St. Ann's Altar Society, St. Nicholas Catholic Church, and the Garrison Lamplighters.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Emil, sons, Gary and Galen, grandson, Sean Burnett, son-in-law, Don Brewster, and great granddaughter Avyn Iglehart. She was also preceded in death by 2 sisters, Marcy and Darlene, and 3 brothers, Archie, Daryl, and Maurice, Jr.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Sandra Kastner, Robert (Colleen) Kastner, Rhonda (Stu) Kragh, all of Minot, James (Tami) Kastner of Anoka, MN, Carolyn Brewster, Linda (Doug) Iglehart, Patti (Paul) Garcia all of Garrison, Paul (Donna) Kastner of Douglas, Tim (Shirelle) Kastner of Williston, and Kelly Kastner of New Bern, NC, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Kristi, Steph (Todd) and Robbie Rosselli and their children Taiylor (Mark), Taiyton, Azure, Teagan, Amara, Monie (Tyler), Taya and TJ, Jasen and Brandi Kastner, Craig Kastner, Shannon Kastner, Bobbie (Ben) Mooney, Tanner (Whitney) Kastner and their children, Hayden, Frank, Evlyn, Ruth, Ellie, and Sophie, Josh (Marissa) Gillmore and their children, Jayden & Kynsli, Marli and Paityn Burnett, Jessica (Billy) Miller of Parshall, Dawn (JJ) Schmaltz, Bismarck, Anna (Ken) Merschon of Mandan, and their children Evan & Kale Kolden, Camden & Madden Miller, Kylie & Cole Fred, Brooklyn and Gavin Schmaltz, Kenny, Gabby, Adrianna, Alyssa, and Roman Merschon, Korey (Amaya) Kastner and their daughter Tennyson, David Kastner, Travis (Mindy) Iglehart, their children, Nashton, Dawson, Braxton, Treyson, and Addyson, Andy (Cindy) Iglehart and their children, Brynn, Shaelynn, and Brookstynn, Tawnya Iglehart, and Allen Iglehart, Kyle Kastner, Chris (Amber) Kastner and their children Saige, Mariah, Phoenix, and Lily, Mitchell Bruhn, Ashley Kastner, and Asia Sorenson, Bret (Michael) and Quintin Kragh.

Other survivors include her sisters, Marilyn, Bernice, Shirley (Wallace), brother, Larry (Nancy) , sister-in-laws, Florene and Janice and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.